# California's 51st congressional district

California's 51st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by Democrat Sara Jacobs. The district currently includes central and eastern portions of San Diego, as well as eastern suburbs such as El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Lemon Grove.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | Obama 56% - 43% |
| 2010 | Governor | Whitman 48% - 46% |
| 2010 | Lt. Governor | Maldonado 45% - 44% |
| 2010 | Secretary of State | Bowen 48% - 43% |
| 2010 | Attorney General | Cooley 50% - 41% |
| 2010 | Treasurer | Lockyer 51% - 41% |
| 2010 | Controller | Chiang 52% - 40% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 56% - 44% |
| 2014 | Governor | Brown 54% - 46% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 58% - 35% |
| 2018 | Governor | Newsom 59% - 41% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Becerra 61% - 39% |
| 2020 | President | Biden 62% - 35% |
| 2022 | Senate (Reg.) | Padilla 61% - 39% |
| 2022 | Governor | Newsom 60% - 40% |
| 2022 | Lt. Governor | Kounalakis 60% - 40% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State | Weber 61% - 39% |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Bonta 59% - 41% |
| 2022 | Treasurer | Ma 60% - 40% |
| 2022 | Controller | Cohen 55% - 45% |
| 2024 | President | Harris 60% - 37% |
| 2024 | Senate (Reg.) | Schiff 60% - 40% |

## Composition

| FIPS County Code | County | Seat | Population |
| 73 | San Diego | San Diego | 3,269,973 |
Under the 2020 redistricting, California's 51st congressional district is located in Southern California, in an area entirely within the San Diego Metropolitan Area of San Diego County. It includes the San Diego neighborhoods of Paradise Hills, Mira Mesa, Miramar, San Carlos, Sorrento, Clairemont, Normal Heights, Allied Gardens, Grantville, Balboa Park, Linda Vista, and Serra Mesa; the cities of El Cajon, Lemon Grove, and La Mesa; and the census-designated places La Presa and Spring Valley
San Diego County is split between this district, the 50th district, the 48th district, and the 52nd district. The 51st and 48th are partitioned by Sabre Springs Openspace, Scripps Miramar Openspace, Beeler Canyon Rd, Sycamore Canyon Openspace, Weston Rd, Boulder Vis, Mast Blvd, West Hills Parkway, San Diego River, Highway 52, Simeon Dr, Mission Trails Openspace, Fanita Dr, Farmington Dr, Lund St, Nielsen St, Paseo de Los Castillos, Gillespie Air Field, Kenney St, San Vicente Freeway, Airport Dr, Wing Ave, W Bradley Ave, Vernon Way, Hart Dr, Greenfield Dr, E Bradley Ave, 830 Adele St-1789 N Mollison Ave, Peppervilla Dr/N Mollison Ave, Pepper Dr, Greta St/Cajon Greens Dr, N Mollison Ave/Buckey Dr, Denver Ln, Broadway Channel, N 2nd St, Flamingo Ave/Greenfield Dr, Dawnridge Ave/Cresthill Rd, Groveland Ter/Camillo Way, Sterling Dr, Kumeyaay Highway, E Madison Ave, Granite Hills Dr, E Lexington Ave, Dehesa Rd, Vista del Valle Blvd, Merritt Ter, E Washington Ave, Merritt Dr, Dewitt Ct, Emerald Heights Rd, Foote Path Way, Highway 8, Lemon Ave, Lake Helix Dr, La Cruz Dr, Carmichael Dr, Bancroft Dr, Campo Rd, and Sweetwater River.
The 51st and 50th are partitioned by Camino del Norte, Highway 15, Carmel Mountain Rd, Ted Williams Parkway, Del Mar Mesa Openspace, Los Penasquitos Creek, Inland Freeway, Governor Dr, Pavlov Ave, Stetson Ave, Millikin Ave, Regents Rd, Ducommun Ave, Bunch Ave, Branting St, Streseman St, Pennant Way, Highway 52, San Diego Freeway, Sea World Dr, Friars Rd, Kumeyaay Highway, and Highway 805.
The 51st and 52nd are partitioned by El Cajon Blvd, 58th St, Streamview Dr, College Ave, Meridian Ave, Lemarand Ave, Highway 94, Charlene Ave, 69th St, Imperial Ave, Larwood Rd, Taft St, Lincoln Pl, Glencoe Dr, Braddock St, Carlisle Dr, Carlsbad Ct/Osage Dr, Potrero St, Carlsbad St, Innsdale Ave, Worthington St/Innsdale Ln, Brady Ct/Innsdale Ln, Parkbrook Way/Alene St, Tinaja Ln/Bluffview Rd, Highway 54, Sweetwater Rd, and Bonita Rd.

### Cities and CDPs with 10,000 or more people

* San Diego – 1,388,320
* El Cajon – 106,215
* La Mesa – 61,121
* La Presa – 35,033
* Spring Valley – 30,998
* Lemon Grove – 27,413

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Dates | Cong ress(es) | Electoral history | Counties |
| District created January 3, 1993 ||||||
| Duke Cunningham (Del Mar) | Republican | January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2003 | 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th | Redistricted from the 44th district and re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Redistricted to the 50th district. | 1993–2003 Northern San Diego |
| Bob Filner (San Diego) | Democratic | January 3, 2003 – December 3, 2012 | 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th | Redistricted from the 50th district and re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Resigned to become mayor of San Diego. | 2003–2013 Imperial Eastern San Diego |
| Vacant | Vacant | December 3, 2012 – January 3, 2013 | 112th | | 2003–2013 Imperial Eastern San Diego |
| Juan Vargas (San Diego) | Democratic | January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2023 | 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th | Elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Redistricted to the 52nd district. | 2013–2023 Imperial Southern San Diego |
| Sara Jacobs (San Diego) | Democratic | January 3, 2023 – present | 118th 119th | Redistricted from the 53rd district and re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2023–present: Central and eastern portions of San Diego, as well as eastern suburbs such as El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Lemon Grove |

## Election results
### 1992

1992 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Duke Cunningham (Incumbent) | 141,890 | 56.1 |
| | Democratic | Bea Herbert | 85,148 | 33.7 |
| | Libertarian | Bill Holmes | 10,309 | 4.1 |
| | Peace and Freedom | Miriam Clark | 10,307 | 4.1 |
| | Green | Richard Roe | 5,328 | 2.1 |
| | Independent | Johnson (write-in) | 13 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 262,995 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1994

1994 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Duke Cunningham (Incumbent) | 138,547 | 66.9 |
| | Democratic | Rita K. Tamerius | 57,374 | 27.7 |
| | Libertarian | Bill Holmes | 6,968 | 3.4 |
| | Peace and Freedom | Miriam Clark | 4,099 | 2.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 206,968 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1996

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Duke Cunningham (Incumbent) | 149,032 | 65.1 |
| | Democratic | Rita Tamerius | 66,250 | 29.0 |
| | Peace and Freedom | Miriam Clark | 5,407 | 2.3 |
| | Libertarian | J.C. Anderson | 5,298 | 2.3 |
| | Natural Law | Eric Bourdette | 3,037 | 1.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 215,282 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1998

1998 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Duke Cunningham (Incumbent) | 126,229 | 61.02 |
| | Democratic | Dan Kripke | 71,706 | 34.66 |
| | Libertarian | Jack Anderson | 5,411 | 2.62 |
| | Natural Law | Eric Bourdette | 3,532 | 1.71 |
| | Independent | Don J. Pando (write-in) | 0 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 206,878 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2000

2000 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Duke Cunningham (Incumbent) | 172,291 | 64.4 |
| | Democratic | George "Jorge" Barraza | 81,408 | 30.4 |
| | Libertarian | Daniel L. Muhe | 7,159 | 2.7 |
| | Natural Law | Eric Hunter Bourdette | 6,941 | 2.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 267,799 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2002

2002 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bob Filner (Incumbent) | 59,541 | 58.0 |
| | Republican | Maria Guadalupe Garcia | 40,430 | 39.3 |
| | Libertarian | Jeffrey S. Keup | 2,816 | 2.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 102,787 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2004

2004 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bob Filner (Incumbent) | 111,441 | 61.7 |
| | Republican | Michael Giorgino | 63,526 | 35.1 |
| | Libertarian | Michael S. Metti | 5,912 | 3.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 180,879 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2006

2006 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bob Filner (Incumbent) | 78,114 | 67.5 |
| | Republican | Blake L. Miles | 34,931 | 30.1 |
| | Libertarian | Dan Litwin | 2,790 | 2.4 |
| | Independent | David Arguello (write-in) | 4 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 115,839 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2008

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bob Filner (Incumbent) | 148,281 | 72.8 |
| | Republican | David Lee Joy | 49,345 | 24.2 |
| | Libertarian | Dan Litwin | 6,199 | 3.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 203,825 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2012

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Juan Vargas | 85,672 | 71.5 |
| | Republican | Michael Crimmins | 36,649 | 28.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 122,321 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2014

2014 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Juan Vargas (Incumbent) | 56,373 | 68.8 |
| | Republican | Stephen Meade | 25,577 | 31.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 81,950 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2016

2016 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Juan Vargas (Incumbent) | 145,162 | 72.8 |
| | Republican | Juan M Hidalgo Jr | 54,362 | 27.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 199,524 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2018

2018 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Juan Vargas (Incumbent) | 109,527 | 71.2 |
| | Republican | Juan M Hidalgo Jr | 44,301 | 28.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 153,828 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2020

2020 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Juan Vargas (Incumbent) | 165,596 | 68.3 |
| | Republican | Juan M Hidalgo Jr | 76,841 | 31.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 242,437 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2022

2022 United States House of Representatives elections in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sara Jacobs (Incumbent) | 144,186 | 61.9 |
| | Republican | Stan Caplan | 88,886 | 38.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 233,072 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Historical district boundaries

In the 1980s, California's 44th congressional district was one of four that divided San Diego. The district had been held for eight years by Democrat Jim Bates, and was considered the most Democratic district in the San Diego area. Randy "Duke" Cunningham won the Republican nomination and won the general election by just a point, meaning that the San Diego area was represented entirely by Republicans for only the second time since the city was split into three districts after the 1960 United States census.
After the 1990 United States census, the district was renumbered the 51st congressional district and much of its share of San Diego was moved to the new 50th congressional district.